Describes a simplified diffraction experiment offered in a workshop with the purpose of illustrating to high school students the relation of science to society. The radii determined for cigarette smoke particles range from 0.2 to 0.5 micrometer in this experiment. Included is a description of the diffraction theory. (CC)

Discusses the development of a design task in which the students can focus on problems in some part of the city. Describes such an improved strategy for teaching the design of complex systems as challenging and beneficial, especially for those interested in urban-related careers. (CC)

Reviews the basic theory underlying the lift and drag forces of a magnetically levitated vehicle riding over a continuous sheet guideway. Included are descriptions of the future vehicle characteristics and the students' construction of a superconducting magnetically levitated merry-go-round demonstration apparatus in a laboratory experiment. (CC)

Discusses the construction of a diffractometer table and four microwave models which are built of styrofoam balls with implanted metallic reflecting spheres and designed to simulate the structures of carbon (graphite structure), sodium chloride, tin oxide, and palladium oxide. Included are samples of Bragg patterns and computer-analysis results.…

A description is provided of activities for a junior high school science and social studies unit on teaching the scientific method and interrelationships between the scientist and the social scientist. (Author/KM)

Presents ideas from readers on techniques and equipment that might be useful in teaching secondary school science. Suggests how to construct cheap wall charts, modify a vacuum cleaner into a blower, construct a stereo microscope lamp holder, and outlines simple physics laboratory experiments. (JR)